December 1st, 2020
By Bill Yerkes
Philippians 1:3-6 “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
During this past year, we have learned a lot from Paul throughout our sermon series. As a leader, I too learned from him through my own research and rereading many of his letters to his churches, and to the people with whom he did ministry.
As I read these words from Philippians, I think of all of you, my church family. When the time came for us to begin worshipping virtually, the staff kicked in high gear and started the process of creating experiences we could all be part of in our homes. All of us got into a routine of being with our families, having time to sit together at breakfast, worship differently in our living rooms, and share an intimate time of communion with bread and juice, or whatever we could find. God blessed us during this time, and even though it was different, it was still worship.
When the time came for us to begin Sunday mornings back at the church, there was almost a hesitance to going back. Not just because of being nervous to return in the midst of a pandemic, but losing that quality Sunday morning time at home. Full disclosure, it was nice not having to leave the house on Sunday morning. But the very first time I stood on the wagon in the parking lot, or the platform in the FLC, and saw your faces, it truly was emotional. Something had been missing. Something was different about being back. That “something” was YOU!
We are a family, and we are in ministry TOGETHER. We worship together, we laugh together, we cry together, and we share our love for Jesus together. And for that I am grateful for all of you. During this season of Thanksgiving I am truly thankful to have each of you part of our church family. We need each other now more than ever. Not only to support each other, but to keep ministry alive at a time when people need it most.
This Thanksgiving, may we all be grateful for the joy of fellowship in the family. Your traditions may include less people this year, but there is fullness in the fellowship of believers, and it is a fellowship we share if we are together physically or in spirit. And as Paul told his fellow believers, the work that God has started in us He will be faithful to complete. Thank you St. John’s for all you are and all you do to support one another and reach out to our community with the love of Jesus.
Philippians 1:3-6 “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
During this past year, we have learned a lot from Paul throughout our sermon series. As a leader, I too learned from him through my own research and rereading many of his letters to his churches, and to the people with whom he did ministry.
As I read these words from Philippians, I think of all of you, my church family. When the time came for us to begin worshipping virtually, the staff kicked in high gear and started the process of creating experiences we could all be part of in our homes. All of us got into a routine of being with our families, having time to sit together at breakfast, worship differently in our living rooms, and share an intimate time of communion with bread and juice, or whatever we could find. God blessed us during this time, and even though it was different, it was still worship.
When the time came for us to begin Sunday mornings back at the church, there was almost a hesitance to going back. Not just because of being nervous to return in the midst of a pandemic, but losing that quality Sunday morning time at home. Full disclosure, it was nice not having to leave the house on Sunday morning. But the very first time I stood on the wagon in the parking lot, or the platform in the FLC, and saw your faces, it truly was emotional. Something had been missing. Something was different about being back. That “something” was YOU!
We are a family, and we are in ministry TOGETHER. We worship together, we laugh together, we cry together, and we share our love for Jesus together. And for that I am grateful for all of you. During this season of Thanksgiving I am truly thankful to have each of you part of our church family. We need each other now more than ever. Not only to support each other, but to keep ministry alive at a time when people need it most.
This Thanksgiving, may we all be grateful for the joy of fellowship in the family. Your traditions may include less people this year, but there is fullness in the fellowship of believers, and it is a fellowship we share if we are together physically or in spirit. And as Paul told his fellow believers, the work that God has started in us He will be faithful to complete. Thank you St. John’s for all you are and all you do to support one another and reach out to our community with the love of Jesus.
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